Property
Tax Consulting
A
significant portion of our business relates to property tax consulting. The complex nature of
the assessment process and the ever-changing legislation and assessment
procedures make it difficult for most organizations to determine if they are equitably assessed.
Our experience
and understanding of all facets of assessment procedures and legislation, together with our extensive data
bank enables us to provide our clients with in-depth and well-reasoned recommendations and, if required, with quality representation before
the Assessment Appeal Board.
We
provide a range of taxation services, outlined as follows:
Portfolio
Review
This
service is for firms with a number of real estate holdings who would like
us to handle all aspects of their tax assessment requirements on an
ongoing basis. This service basically involves ongoing discussions
with the assessor respecting all new buildings or additions to buildings
as they are constructed, yearly review of all assessed properties, and
assuring that any tax rebates due to the owner are paid. We also we
appeal assessments to the Board level if necessary.
Property Assessment Review
This
service is designed for projects which have been assessed
and basically involves a review of whether the value applied is consistent
with "Actual Value", and secondly looks at the
"equity" of the assessment when reviewed in the context of a
larger market segment.
The
initial steps involve ongoing negotiation with the Assessment Authority,
and if this fails to achieve results, we will appeal the case to the
Board.
New Project Assessment Review
This
service is designed for projects still in the planning stage or under
construction. We have had substantial success in appealing projects
under construction, and can also talk with the assessor prior to
the assessment being placed on the roll to discuss the method and the
factors he intends to use to arrive at his assessment. We can also
provide estimates on taxes relating to new construction for future years
for budgeting purposes.
Our services include:
Our primary goal is to ensure that our clients pay no more than their fair share of property
taxes.
Our objective is to establish and maintain your
taxation equity through in depth analysis, monitoring of market trends and
creative problem solving to ultimately provide you with a lower tax position
resulting in tax savings. We deliver on
this promise by negotiating property values with the British Columbia
Assessment Authority and where required, represent our clients at
various appeal tribunals. The tax savings have ranged from a few
thousand dollars to close to a quarter of a million dollars.
As well,
reducing taxes provides more competitive occupancy rates for your
project, and can substantially add to the capital value of the
property involved.
